NSW Team 2014

[big hit!]

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/...origin-i-20140520-38l80.html?selectedImage=16

that's what I'm talking about re Hoffman & Scott and how they need to emulate Lewis and Bird. Farah (in back ground) spotting tardiness on the edge, runs out of acting half and onto Lewis who takes advantage of sloppiness in the defensive line.

Bird and Lewis were play makers though and read the play extremely well and can quickly pounce on these opportunities that present themselves. In contrast, Hoffman and Scott are more hole runners and have had little attacking impact in Origin because they consistently wait for attacking movements from the halves over the years that never come.

Ryan and Beau need to heighten their awareness of these opportunities Farah will spot and be able to take advantage of them.

 

[franklin2323]

Dude, Inglis is a beast and a freak! He doesn't just have size, he has the speed. He moves that rig with such velocity that he is practically unstoppable unless there is a brick wall of defenders in his way.

Once in a generation player. Don't try and pick players to stop him. It'll fail and it will lessen the ability to do what the team really needs - to put more points on the board.

How many Origin's are high scoring though? Hodges and Inglis are great defenders as well. So we need to be strong in defence

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

A lot of form players have been picked and our backs are imo equal to the queenslanders. Farah is a gun and easily the best 9 behind Smith. The forwards could be anything though.

Most of us have labeled Pearce a bust at soo for awhile. Now we can see the difference. I'm excited with the new halves. The way they have linked at the bulldogs has been awesome also it will benefit the backs considering we might actually be able to put an attacking kick.

 

[Still Nutty]

I see what you are saying but there are a few guys who have earned the right to loyalty from NSW. Gallen, Bird, Lewis, Choc, Hayne....you pick these guys if they tell you they are sweet and give them every chance to be healthy and play because they always lift, club form is almost irrelevant for these guys if they are healthy. Has Lewis ever played a bad game for NSW?

If it was one of the morris boys, or Jennings or Tamou etc then I would be for picking the guy in the best current form but for Lewis if he is fit enough he plays.

I'd have to agree re Lewis and loyalty - he is a proven origin performer for NSW...he reminds me a lot of Ben Kennedy at Origin level - no matter what the circumstances prior to Origin, if he is fit andsays he is right to go, you pick him.

More importantly, as a nominated bench player, I think he has the versatility as a utility to allow another genuine forward to be picked - although he's not a genuine back anymore, I think he still has the ability to fill backs positions (particularly defensively) if injuries occur throughout the game.

On a personal note, I would have liked to see Mullen given an opportunity based on his form this year for Newcastle and Country(outside of his game against the Panthers)... his game last night was back to the form that has had him in contention BUT I agree with the selection of Reynolds to pair Hogkinson and anybody else ahead of Pearce and Maloney.

On NoName36's question re Scott ? I?d also agree with Big Hit!. His form this year has been consistently high?he has been the best forward playing for the Knights and it is 80 minutes every week. He has also developed some good fringe running and offloading in traffic this season to compliment his dogged defence.


With 2 games in Qld - I am a realist but i do hope they can create an upset and win the fitrst game...that will certainly make this forum interesting for games 2 and 3

 

[Noa]

I thought queensland would be ripe for picking then I saw the blues forward pack and bench.

 

[Valheru]

I was wondering who we would all blame when NSW lose this year, it looks like Scott and/or Hoffman will take the blame.

 

[timka4]

Scott has had one subpar game for NSW the rest have been fine. He won't be the reason if we do lose

 

[Parraren]

Don't mind the side.

Tariq Sims or Wade Graham over Hoffman would be the only change I would have made for game 1.

Seriously, how is Hoffman still there. Always goes missing at this level.

 

[ceagle]

Don't like that side at all. Can see QLD winning 3-0 quite comfortably if they stick with that the whole series.

 

[The Enforcer]

Dude, Inglis is a beast and a freak! He doesn't just have size, he has the speed. He moves that rig with such velocity that he is practically unstoppable unless there is a brick wall of defenders in his way.

Once in a generation player. Don't try and pick players to stop him. It'll fail and it will lessen the ability to do what the team really needs - to put more points on the board.

Chris Mortimer did a pretty good job on Meninga.

 

[The Enforcer]

Don't mind the side.

Tariq Sims or Wade Graham over Hoffman would be the only change I would have made for game 1.

Seriously, how is Hoffman still there. Always goes missing at this level.

Creagh says hi.

 

[kokz2014]

Awesome! They did go with T.Hodkinson and Reynolds, excellent choice! Yes, its a strong team. I was surprise with D.Tupou and B.Scott but hey now is the time to support our boys. As for the rest of the players they will do the job. I don't mind T-Rex the way Bulldogs are going we should expect a great game. I voted for Ryan Hoffman he will deliver and perform well. Have FAITH now blues supporters this is our year to break the drought. Yehaa!

P.S if you don't like the side then start supporting QLD tired of you faithless people!!

BLUES UP!

 

[MarkC]

I don't think NSW have much too lose by trying a change in the halves.
Brooks from the Tigers looks like a long term prospect, but I am glad they are not rushing him in.
With the Dogs halves Hodko is steady and seems well suited to origin, he will not win the game but he will not loose it either.
Reynolds takes a few more risks and can create something, but occasionally comes up with a dumb play.
But the two together are not a bad combo, even though they have been playing behind a dominant forward pack.
IMO the halves for NSW do not need to create all the chances as Farah and Hayne aver very good in their position and can make things happen.
In the forwards Hoffman seems like a lucky selection.
Guys like Tim Mannah, Shaun Fensom and Tolman are probably a bit unlucky to miss out.
It will be mainly won in the forwards and the NSW pack looks OK.
QLD would still start favorites, but at least NSW team selection seems to be improving.

 

[kokz2014]

I think NSW forwards are more mobile then QLD and have been for years. We only struggle in the halves to make those crucial decisions. Woods, Tamou, Merrin, and the the blues pack are more then enough to lay the platform. Should be an exciting first match.

 

[T.S Quint]

P.S if you don't like the side then start supporting QLD tired of you faithless people!!

F**k you!
Don't tell me who to support.

I will cheer for the Blues this year just as I have every other year, but that doesn't mean I can't be disappointed with the side they have picked.

I want to win, and there are clearly better choices available.

 

[Jason Maher]

Awesome! They did go with T.Hodkinson and Reynolds, excellent choice! Yes, its a strong team. I was surprise with D.Tupou and B.Scott but hey now is the time to support our boys. As for the rest of the players they will do the job. I don't mind T-Rex the way Bulldogs are going we should expect a great game. I voted for Ryan Hoffman he will deliver and perform well. Have FAITH now blues supporters this is our year to break the drought. Yehaa!

P.S if you don't like the side then start supporting QLD tired of you faithless people!!

BLUES UP!

Is that you Laurie?

 

[coolsteve]

maybe Daley will TRICK QLD and start watmong . no Gidley, will he still be captain?

 

[CliffyIsGod]

Watmough has been the most consistent forward over the last 5 years and yet he sits on the bench. NSW have no clue.

 

[ek999]

He's also a lock and therefore behind Gallen

 

[Tommax25]

Should've put sims in. Ohwell. Happy Pearce isn't there

I think this is the best way to look at it for NSW fans. Given the choice between Sims and Pearce or Hoffman and *insert anyone else aside from Pearce with a pulse at 7* you'd have my hand off taking that deal. Most would. This is a victory, you can't have it all, but you got the most important one.